KIRKBYMOORSIDE’S Tatyana Heard has been selected in England’s 38-player training squad ahead of the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Players will meet for three days this week as they begin their preparations for the Six Nations, scheduled to take place from March 23 to April 27.

Heard, who took her first forays into rugby at Malton & Norton, made her senior England debut against the USA in 2018 after recovering from an ACL injury, and has since earned 18 caps for her country.

Earning a full-time contract the following year, she was a part of the Red Roses sides that won the 2019 Grand Slam and reached the final of the delayed 2021 Rugby Union World Cup.

The 29-year-old was also included in the England squad for the inaugural WXV tournament, in which the Red Roses finished top of their group.

However, fellow former Malton & Norton junior Morwenna Talling will not join the camp after being ruled out through injury.

Six uncapped players are included in the squad, whilst Bristol Bears lock Abbie Ward makes her return to the England camp following the birth of her child.

England training squad ahead of Six Nations

Forwards: Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), May Campbell (Saracens), Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Lizzie Hanlon (Exeter Chiefs), Daisy Hibbert-Jones (Loughborough Lightning), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Sharifa Kasolo (Saracens), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Gabriella Nigrelli (Bristol Bears), Cath O'Donnell (Loughborough Lightning), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Ellena Perry (Gloucester-Hartpury), Connie Powell (Harlequins), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)

Backs: Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), Sophie Bridger (Saracens), Jess Breach (Saracens), Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs), Merryn Doidge (Exeter Chiefs), Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women), Sydney Gregson (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Amber Reed (Bristol Bears), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), Ella Wyrwas (Saracens)